VVA CHAPTER 936

February 2005

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
My Thoughts:
Today is the Presidential Inauguration. Today our President is sworn in to begin his second term in office. What an honor to be the leader of such a great nation, built on such great principles of freedom, achieved only by sacrifice. I know how aware our President is of all the world events, this responsibility must be magnificent and so over whelming. The atmosphere for this event is tense due to the potential threats, but joyous and historical. Everyone involved must realize they are a part of our history. How beautiful these events are. I remember them so well. I think back to having the opportunity to exchange a salute with President Reagan on his last inauguration, at the west gate of the White House, located at 17th and State Street Northwest. Boy! it was a cold day. How proud I was of that experience. Today, I sit in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 632, in Harrisonburg, waiting to meet with a Service Officer of the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs. My number is 17. I have time to reflect on past inaugurations. How close I was to the president. How proud I am to be a Veteran. What a beautiful day in history. Sixteen (16) other folks are ahead of me. This all started at 9 am, it’s now 10:52 am. Number 11 is currently being served. Number 11 is an older lady, appears to be hard of hearing, confused, somewhat overwhelmed. I believe she is here for some type of survivorship benefits. It is apparent to me as I look around the room, these folks are in striking contrast to the events of the on going Inauguration. The Service Officer just said to the lady, “all taken care of”. Number 12, you’re next. Number 11 tells the Service Officer “thank you so very much”. She leaves the large room with the assistance of her cane.

I am here to assist a member of our Chapter who is experiencing serious health issues. He never went to a Presidential Inauguration, but he did manage to visit the DMZ in Vietnam, as a United States Marine. He never received any Presidential memorabilia, but he managed to collect a Purple Heart. Now he needs to be remembered for his sacrifices and how he proudly served his Country. These experiences are overwhelming, now we wait, number 18 comes into the room. Two (2) elderly ladies, somewhat confused, they pick up a number and sit down to wait. Their facial expressions express many years on earth. what’s their history? I wonder. the room we wait in is large, used for parties, dances, meetings, and bingo. Lots of American flags around the room, banners on the walls, tables and chairs, lighting comfortable, but by no means an inaugural ball set up. There is no music, no laughter, no President, only the sound of coughing and telephones ringing, and the firm advice of the Service Officer, “this takes a while”. “Number 14 please”.

There is no Chief Justice from the Supreme Court, no Presidential Staff representation, and no major players from the Veterans Administration, only (1) man, Service Officer, Mr John Layman, by himself, confronting veterans issues and I must say, doing a great job. Mr. Layman looks up as number 19 enters the room, he states “take a number please”. I hope the Veterans Administration is properly represented at the inauguration. I hope they have enough people there to participate in the event. Three (3) more folks just entered the room, younger looking males, possibly Vietnam era Veterans.

As I sit here my mind wanders back to Washington, DC and all the other inaugurations. Mr Nixon, what a cold day that was. I can remember these historical events like they were yesterday. Great moments! - I loved it. My point to all this is simple, history repeats itself often and veterans continue to be a part of that process. I hope and pray our President and his staff, as he is sworn in, could just briefly remember the sacrifices by our service members and their families so that this historical day could even take place. What a beautiful event!

It is now 12:50 PM, our interview with the Service Officer (Mr. Layman) is over. The system isn’t too bad, the “means test” is frustrating, possibly confusing, but routine. Administrative issues are many. Mr. Layman tries to help so much and to make things clear.

Number 18, “you’re next” The Service Officer is done with us. I sincerely encourage the members of Chapter 936 to please sign up for their “agent orange screening” and register with the Veterans Administration. The system isn’t perfect, it can work, it’s confusing, sometime disheartening. I’ll help each one of you. By-the-way, it is now 1:40 PM and the Service Officer is still at it. He hasn’t taken a break yet. So many people, so much sacrifice. I wonder how the inauguration is going? I miss that part of history. After a while I went back into the room to say thanks to Mr Layman, he was assisting number 29, non stop. I wonder how many more new veterans were created today. My inauguration day is over. I learned a new term involving veterans issues, “need based”. I’m going home and watch the parade on the news.

On Monday, January 17th, 2005 I went with Mr. Sam Garman of the Woodstock American Legion, Post 199. Sam is the Commander. We went to the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce awards dinner. The Chamber gave Sam a “Certificate of Achievement” for all the great work he and Post 199 does for the community. For the record, Sam received the loudest applause and a standing one at that. Post 199 does a great job. Lots of sacrifice here. Thanks Sam!

On Monday, January 24th, I went with another Chapter member, Russell Hasler down to an appeals hearing, at the Veterans Administration Headquarters in Washington, DC, another cold day. We went there to assist a Korean War Veteran, Mr. Atwell, 72 years of age, from Harrisonburg. He was attempting to get reconsideration for additional benefits in connection with the two (2) bullet wounds he experienced in Korea during an ambush. It was a long day. While there I had the opportunity to meet with three (3) lawyers from the Vietnam Veterans of America, who assist with claims. Once again they were very helpful and very interested in my conversation concerning Veterans issues. They helped me a lot, gave me lots of information. I learned more about that term “need based”. They want to help! I also noticed the three (3) limos parked outside with Veterans Administration tags, they were full length, black and clean. It made me think of my new term “need based” Interesting! My math in all this isn’t adding up. I am getting confused with this “need based”. I was doing OK until I saw the limos.

Please remember in your prayers, the passing of another veteran. the father of our vice-president, Roger Stevens. His father, Harry Stevens, retired as a Major from the U. S. Army and served in the Pacific during World War II. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on the 17th of February with full military honors.

Please also remember the passing of Martin Ritenour’s mother, Mrs. Mable Ambrose, who passed away on the 27th of December 2004. Please Remember Bob Mckinney, another Chapter member, who has been in the hospital. We wish you a speedy recovery.

Please remember membership renewals and the upcoming elections. You must be present to vote. Also, we are receiving lots of attention due to our web site. This is a job “well done” by Roger and his wife, Carol (Stevens).

Thanks so much! See you on Saturday, February 12th, 2005, 11:00 AM for our regular monthly meeting.
Peter J. Mulligan

OFFICERS
President: Pete Mulligan (540) 740-3392
Vice President: Roger Stevens (540) 856-2871
Treasurer: Jon Clark - (540) 984-3056
Secretary: TBD
Sergeant at Arms: Martin Ritenour
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Russell Hasler
Jon Clark
Peter J. Mulligan
William Mader
Harry Scheeler
Roger Stevens
Martin Ritenour
Rolland Aylesworth
STATE DELEGATES
Jon Clark, Pete Mulligan, Roger Stevens

NEXT MEETING
Our next Meeting will be February 12, 2005 at the VFW in Edinburg. The Board will meet at 10AM and the Chapter at 11AM. NOTE: We are meeting here on the 2nd Saturday of every month.

VA News
There is a large ammount of news concerning the VA that has been sent by the Virginia State Council, however, due to time constraints and available space these article will be made available in full content at the next meeting.

FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
Since Mardi Gras is the first week of February and Lent begins on the 9th, here’s a traditional Creole dish that’s good for all seasons.

RED BEANS AND RICE

Serves 6-8
1 pound dried red beans
3 tablespoons bacon fat or vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
4-5 garlic cloves -- minced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 bay leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
2 smoked ham hocks
1/2 pound andouille sausage, halved lengthwise -- sliced 1/4" thick
1 can chicken stock (14.5 oz.)
6 cups water
Dash Tabasco sauce -- optional
4 cups hot cooked rice
Thinly sliced green onions for garnish

Place the beans in a large bowl or pot and cover with water by 2 inches. Let soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside. (Alternatively, in a Dutch oven bring the beans and 6 cups water to a boil; boil 10 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 2 hours.)

In a large pot, heat the bacon fat or oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery and bell pepper; season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook about 2 minutes. Add the bay leaves, parsley, thyme, cayenne, ham hocks and sausage; cook and stir about 4 minutes. Drain the beans and add to the pot. Add the stock and water, stir well, and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and starting to thicken, about 2 hours. (Should the beans become too thick and dry, add more water, about 1/4 cup at a time.)

Remove from the heat and with the back of a heavy spoon, mash about 1 cup of the beans against the side of the pot. Season with Tabasco if desired. Continue to cook and stir over low heat until the beans are tender and creamy, 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the bay leaves.

Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.

Questions? Suggestions? For more information about joining our Chapter, please e-mail us!

MAILING ADDRESS
VVA Chapter 936
594 Cave Spring Lane
Edinburg, VA 22824

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